Smith & Nephew has entered an agreement to acquire medical device company Leaf Healthcare, including its patient mobility monitoring device Leaf Patient Monitoring System.
Intended for pressure injury prevention, the system comprises a wireless, lightweight, wearable sensor that tracks an individual’s position, orientation, movement and activity. This allows remote monitoring of hospitalised patients.
Statistics reveal that approximately 2.5 million pressure injuries are treated per year at acute care facilities in the US, costing around $11bn.
Data captured by the system can be used to automate and document compliance with patients’ prescribed turn protocols for those who are at risk for pressure injuries.
An independent, randomised, controlled trial performed by Stanford University showed a 43% relative rise in turning protocol compliance in high-risk patients using the Leaf Patient Monitoring System.
The acquisition of this device is expected to complement Smith & Nephew’s Allevyn Life and Allevyn Gentle Border and Secura Skin Care products.
Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management president Simon Fraser said: “Consistent with our initial strategic investment, Smith & Nephew is focused on providing not just products to treat conditions, but also supporting clinicians with technologies designed for prevention, as well as treatment, and helping healthcare facilities reduce the cost of care.
“The Leaf Patient Monitoring System is highly complementary to Smith & Nephew’s existing wound portfolio and we are excited by the opportunities of expanding this product within our global portfolio.”
Over a period of two years, Smith & Nephew partnered with Leaf Healthcare as an exclusive distributor and strategic investor.
Leaf Healthcare co-founder and CEO Barrett Larson said: “We are excited by this new opportunity to deploy our award-winning pressure injury prevention technology through Smith & Nephew’s extensive advanced wound management portfolio.”
Last month, Smith & Nephew agreed to acquire regenerative medicine products developer Osiris Therapeutics for $660m. This deal is also intended to support the UK company’s wound management business.
